Why Sound Works for Bird Control
Birds depend on hearing for survival - detecting danger, communicating with their flock, and managing territory. Because of this, sound-based deterrents can create powerful behavioural responses when the right frequency and pattern are used.
But each category works very differently, and choosing the wrong one for the environment can reduce effectiveness.
Bioacoustic Bird Deterrents: Communicating Danger the Way Birds Do
Bioacoustic devices broadcast real distress calls and predator calls from specific bird species. These recordings tap directly into instinctive survival pathways.
How They Work
When birds hear their own species’ distress or alarm calls, it triggers immediate avoidance responses:
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- Flock lifts and leaves the area
- Birds become alert and unsettled
- The site is labelled “unsafe”
Why Bioacoustics Work Well
✔ Real, species-specific recordings
✔ Randomised call patterns to prevent habituation
✔ Coverage for medium–large open spaces
✔ Works for many industries: agriculture, aviation, industrial, commercial
Best for:
Large outdoor areas, vineyards, orchards, open industrial sites, airports.
Interested in using Bioacoustics for your site?
View all Birdzout Bioacoustics or discuss your situation with our team for expert advice
Listen to a Birdzout Bioacoustic Unit in Action
Sonic Deterrents: Noise That Create a “No-Go Zone”
In this context, sonic refers specifically to sound deterrents like Gas Guns and Pyrotechnics - some of the most effective tools for creating a loud, unpredictable environment birds want to avoid.
How They Work
Gas guns produce sudden, explosive sound bursts at irregular intervals. This creates an unstable environment that birds interpret as unsafe.
Pyrotechnics produce lound screech and bang noises, which disturb and confuse birds - especially as they are fired by hand, so there is no regularity to them.
Unlike bioacoustics, sonic detterrents don’t rely on realism - just on volume, randomness, and repetition.
What Makes Gas Guns & Pyrotechnics Effective
✔ Extremely loud and far-reaching
✔ Highly disruptive to settling behaviour
✔ Ideal for deterring large flocks
✔ Best suited for open agricultural and broad-acre use
Best for:
Vineyards, orchards, kiwifruit blocks, crop fields, or large open rural areas where long-range impact is needed.
Interested in using Gas Guns or Pyrotechnics for your site?
View the Birdzout Gas Gun Range and Birdzout Pyrotechncics or discuss your situation with our team for expert advice
Listen to the Birdzout Gas Gun in Action
Hear the Pyrotechnics Screamer in Action
Ultrasonic Bird Deterrents: Targeted Sound for Specific Situations
Ultrasonic devices emit frequencies above the range of human hearing (typically 20–60 kHz).
In controlled environments and specific applications, ultrasonic sound can be effective.
How Ultrasonic Deterrents Work
Ultrasonic waves create an uncomfortable, high-frequency pressure field that birds experience as irritation or discomfort, even if they do not interpret it as a natural danger signal.
While ultrasound does not typically drive large behavioural changes outdoors, it can create micro-zones birds avoid, especially when:
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- They are already unsettled by other deterrents
- The space is small or confined
- Surfaces reflect the ultrasonic waves (walls, ceilings, steel)
- You need silent deterrence close to people or livestock
Where Ultrasonic Sound Works Best
✔ Inside buildings or semi-enclosed areas
✔ Around rafters, beams, ledges, machinery
✔ Dockways, loading bays, warehouses
✔ Enclosed industrial or commercial structures
✔ Small, localised “problem spots”
When Ultrasound Performs Strongly
Ultrasound is most effective when used as part of a multi-tool system, such as:
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- Combined with bioacoustic calls outdoors
- Paired with lasers or visual deterrents
- Integrated into a broader site strategy
- Used to “close the gaps” in a larger plan
Bottom line:
Ultrasound isn’t a standalone fix for open farmland or large outdoor spaces, but it is a highly valuable specialist tool for small, specific problem areas or sensitive locations where noise must be minimal.
View all Birdzout Ultrasonic Units or discuss your situation with our team for expert advice
No video for this one, as Ultrasonic Sound is virtually inaudible to people.
Which Sound Deterrent Is Best?
It depends on environment, species pressure, and your goals.
Most effective for broad areas
Bioacoustic Calls + Gas Guns
Most effective indoors or in tight spaces
Ultrasonic Devices
Most effective overall
A multi-layered sound strategy, often paired with visual tools (scare devices, lasers) or trapping.
Choose the Right Sound for Your Bird Problem
A strong bird control plan considers:
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- Bird species
- Environment (open, enclosed, semi-enclosed)
- Distance required
- Noise tolerance
- Existing pressure level
- Integration with other deterrents (visual, laser, trapping, netting)
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your situation and get a free recommendation on the best sound deterrent to protect your site from pest birds
